Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! After writing two hat tricks of previous blog posts, our focus today shifts to Italy’s favorite sport—soccer. While this may not surprise you, what will blow your mind is that soccer in Italy is not denoted by some linguistic variation of football. Rather, Italians refer to the sport as calcio (pronounced CAHL-cho). Italian soccer has a history decorated with passion and excellence. From the national team, called ­Gli Azurri, to the clubs, like Juventus and AC Milan, calcio is a prominent part of Italian culture that cannot be kicked to the curb. My gooooooal here today is to familiarize you with some of the basics of calcio, a few of the greatest to play on the pitch, and a handful of the rising soccer stars playing in Italy.

If you watch the World Cup, you may notice that Italy wears blue and white instead of their national colors of red, white, and green. In fact, this azure blue lends to the name Gli Azurri. I bet that blue your mind! But why are the national team’s colors different from their flag? Unknown to many, the Italian flag was mainly “savoy blue” until the end of World War II. At that point, Italy had already won two World Cups, and the team decided to keep their blue uniforms. And if this was not enough to knock your socks and shin guards off, let’s talk domestic calcio. Italian soccer functions in a hierarchy of leagues, ranging from the local to national level. The main league, Serie A, consists of the top 20 club teams in Italy. What are the stakes of being in Serie A? If a team is a bottom-three finisher, it is relegated to Serie B (a lower league) and, if a team is a top-four team, it gains a spot in the next year’s UEFA Champions League (the most competitive, highly anticipated competition in soccer). Knowing what is at stake, teams compete fiercely during the 38-matchday Serie A season.

But there is more to the story than just the teams. What about the players? When considering the all-time greats of Italian soccer, Paolo Maldini (left) often comes to mind. A tall, athletic defender, Maldini, aka Il Capitano, had a decorated career, lifting the Champions League trophy and multiple league titles. Unlike many in the sport, he played until the age of 41. Another noteworthy player, Argentine midfielder Diego Maradona (right) contends for the title of greatest of all time due to his dominance on the pitch. While playing for S.S.C. Napoli and the Argentina national team, he won two Serie A titles and a World Cup. His footwork is regarded as some of the best, and his “Hand of God” goal is the most famous in the game.

Does the talent in Italy stop there? By no means! Rising stars in Serie A are more numerous than the stars in the sky. Names like Giacomo Raspadori, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Chiesa, and Rafael Leao are bringing a new age of dominance to calcio (now that’s a mouthful). A key part of both Juventus and the Italian national team, Chiesa’s (top) ball control and finishing skills make him a top contender in Italy and the entire world. Meanwhile, Rafael Leao’s (bottom) speed, agility, and footwork causes severe troubles for defenders. Overall, the influx of young talent has made calcio highly competitive, rejuvenating the Italian spirit after heartbreaking drought years. And as this spirit lives on, a large portion of Italian culture stays lively. Grazie for reading along, and as always, ci sentiamo presto!

Paolo Maldini: stats and matches | AC Milan

Diego Maradona

Ciao e Benvenuto a tutti! I hope you brought your wallet for this post, because we are about to enter the store of style! Surely, you have all heard about companies like Gucci, Prada, and Versace. If this level of attire is your thing, you may want to visit Milan. Like I always say—you can take fashion away from Milano, but you can’t take Milano away from fashion. And I am sure you can name a menagerie of famous Italian products, like the Gucci belts, Prada bags, and Versace dresses. I could talk all day about the stuff you already know, but I want to knock your Gucci flip flops off. So, let’s scrap that idea; all of that is too expensive anyway. What do average Italian people wear?

Mainly, we will focus on the clothing in Gianni Versace’s homeland: the deep south. Regions like Calabria, Sicily, and Campagna are known for having a much less wealthy, agrarian demographic (They are Farmers bumbumbumbumbumbumbum). In other words, the people down south wear fits that are simpler than the haughty designer clothes seen in the north. Okay, I know I am a big hater of the northerners, but my goal here is to Puglia (pronounced pull-ya) away from the basic culture you see in a travel magazine. Anyway, if there is one general rule of thumb for men’s style in the south, it is that everything is TIGHT! I have no clue how the guys put on some of their clothes, but they really pull off the style. For casual occasions, the men sport polos, V-necks, and button downs unbuttoned at the top. They tend to like skinny jeans (what a surprise) and chinos, which they pair with causal sneakers and sometimes loafers. If the guys feel Burberry-esque, they may even rock (I mean really rock) a scarf, experiment with colors, and sport a hat. In Italy, even the men look so fresh and so clean.

For the women, it may be a bit more convoluted, but I’ll do my best to paint you an accurate picture. Additionally, the ladies do tend to buy more designer products. Before we get into that, however, let’s start with hair. We all know that dark Italian complexion lends to some lush, dark hair. Many Italian women embrace their inner paesana and choose not to color their hair completely blond. In terms of brands, guys and gals alike wear Lacoste, Fila, Guess, and Tommy Hilfiger. And for the attire itself, women wear clothes slightly different what is worn in America. You will see less crop-tops and high-cut tops. Not to mention, leggings would be a stretch. Overall, their style is slightly more formal than American women’s casual clothing, but many of the same ideas apply.

Now for my realm of expertise: bags. Apart from the infamous Gucci and Prada bags, Italian females love more budget-friendly purses. One of my personal favorites is the Y Not? brand bags. These purses are offered in a variety of sizes and feature prints of cities. Their colorful designs distinguish them from the boring brown Louis Vuitton bags they resemble. Another interesting bag option in Italy is the O Bag. Some key features of this brand are the modular design and recycled rubber material that is used to make the bags. As weird as it sounds, a rubber purse can really be trendy. Still not convinced” Take it from me, an Italian woman without her purse is like a pizza without the cheese—neither work properly. I hope you found this guide very useful and consider these trends if you go to Italy. But for now, I am signing off; ci vediamo presto!

Useful Bag Links:

Shopping Bags da Donna Online | YNot? Milano | Borse Shopper Online

O bag | Official Online Shop | Check out the new collection

Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! If you have made it this far in my Italian blog, consider yourself in the secondo phase (refer to the Pienissimo blog if confused) of the meal. Today, we are changing course in our trip across Italy and making a stop in the vacation section! A wonderful Italian vacation—it is something we would all love. Just imagine traveling around the peninsula in spaghetti-shaped fashion. Surely, your trip would be no bore, as there is plenty to do in Italy. Really, there is too much to do. Whether you take a jaw-dropping a trip inside the Colosseum or sail in the seas off the coast of Portofino, your eyes will have as much to feast on as your stomach. But what if you want to escape the rush of the city and the company of other tourists? I mean, who really wants to have a basic vacay? Fear not my friends, for I am going to spotlight some destinations that will give you a unique, thrilling trip!

First and foremost, I would like to inform you about the island of Sardinia (Sardegna for my real Italian folk). This island rivals Sicily in size, but it seems to be forgotten by many. And while Sicily is my personal favorite, I am a little biased. It is truly a surprise that Sardegna is overlooked in the grand scheme of Italian tourism, as it is extremely beautiful. The beaches there are white and sandy, and the culture is as intriguing as the rest of Italy. Doesn’t sound attractive enough? May I introduce you to L’Archipelago Maddalena. If the name isn’t enough to grab your attention, certainly the attractions are. This chain of 7 islands furnishes visitors with snorkeling and clear seas. And if you want to prolong your stay, you can stay in the 5-star Ma&Ma hotel. If you aren’t amazed by that, towns such as Alghero reflect Catalan influences, while other destinations show Greek culture as well. What I believe is the best part, however, is the small-town experience, where you can truly immerse into the culture of Sardegna.

If you are more like me, however, you would like to see every inch of Sicily. And to do so is not as easy as pizza pie. Personally, I have been to Sicily 5 times and have only seen a few snippets of the island. No matter who you are, Sicily can cater to your desires. The natural scenery and appeal of the island looks like it came out of a Da Vinci painting. First, Mount Etna, one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe, will give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience of the natural landscape. Not only will the mountain itself amaze you, but it also formed breathtaking landmarks, like Gole Alcantara. Not to mention, the Sicilian coastline itself is worth seeing. But if you are not into the natural stuff, rest assured that there are tons of towns to visit. Some of my favorites are Cefalù, Taormina, and Siracusa. Other towns I have heard good things about are Noto, Agrigento, and Trapani. Overall, you can’t go wrong wherever you go. I hope this helps you out if you are considering an Italy trip. And to that I have to say buon viaggio! Ci vediamo presto!

Below are linked to more resources on travel:

What to see in Sardinia: towns, beaches and must-see attractions (charmingsardinia.com)

22 Best Places to Visit in Sicily – a guide by Untold Italy

Ciao e benvenuto a tutti! Welcome back to the fourth entry of Il Passionato. Once again, today’s upload will focus on food! No, just kidding, that would be more sickening to you than a bowl of undercooked pasta. In reality, my focus is a religious feast that will certainly satiate you hunger to learn about Italian culture. Let’s take a trip to my family’s hometown of Castel di Lucio, Sicily. Yesterday, October 5^th, marked the feast day of the town’s patron saint, San Placido. Now I am sure to many of you, what I just wrote sounds like something from a foreign language, and let me assure you, it is totally Italian. Allow me to explain:

As you may be aware, many small Italian towns are predominantly catholic, and Castel di Lucio is no exception. What you may not be aware of, however, is that many these towns select a patron saint, who they honor. Please do not get patron confused with Patron Tequila; I assure you the two are very different. Rather, a patron saint is essentially a “representative” who connects the town members to God himself. For today’s blog, I will focus on Castel di Lucio. A faithful monk and martyr, San Placido reflects the religious values of the citizens of the town. For this reason, the community gathers to honor the saint not once, but twice a year. These celebrations are unlike anything you have seen before, so sit tight and imagine you are there!

To honor San Placido, the townspeople participate in a large procession—a religious parade. On August 20^th every year, the entire town, along with returning families living in other parts of Italy, follow a large float carrying a statue of San Placido. And if this wasn’t enough, they do it yet again on October 5^th for the saint’s feast day (a feast is the church’s version of a birthday). What amazes me the most, however, is that the entire community sacrifices something for the procession. Whether it be a strong man carrying the float, a musician playing in the band, or a woman baking dozens of cookies for the walkers, everyone contributes. I personally find it nice that you can do whatever floats your boat.

Ok, enough with the cheesy jokes; let’s get back to the blog. On the day of the procession, everyone attends a catholic mass, in which the statue is raised up by a few angels. Afterwards, families gather and prepare for the excitement of the evening. Later, the procession itself starts. The float is carried out of the church, and a group of sixteen men lug it around town on their shoulders. Accompanied by the music of the band, the carriers travel at slow walking speeds and swift near-running speeds. Yet the most exciting part is the dance, in which the float bearers align in the town square and run to mimic a dancing motion. You must give them props for this, as the float weighs over 2,000 pounds (and is uncomfortable to hold). Overall, this tradition is truly remarkable and symbolizes the spirit of the town. And as much as I would love to talk about it all day, I shall process no more. Ci vediamo presto!

If you are interested, here is a link to a video of parts of the August 2022 procession. There is a dance at 11:00!

Castel di Lucio (ME) – S. Placido 2022 – YouTube